Holiday Bash

Holiday Bash

In this week’s issue:
* Cool Cleveland Dispatch Dialing in the Holiday Hotline by Kelly Ferjutz
* Cool Cleveland Holiday Appreciation Bash on 12/15, get $17.99 tix by midnight Wed 12/14 here
* Cool Holiday Shopping The alternative gift guide
* An Open Letter by Cleveland’s Leading Satirist
* RoldoLINK on charities
* Cool Cleveland Sounds Watch This by Colin Dussault and his Blues Project Band
* Cool Cleveland Kids podcast click here, CC podcast click here, CC Blog click here

This week, gratefully, we celebrate Cool Cleveland’s third birthday the only way we know how… by throwing a party and inviting all our friends. Drinks, snacks, good cheer, good music and an iPod raffle should keep your spirits high. Please do join us at Fat Fish Blue this Thu 12/15 after work. It wouldn’t be the same without you.

We continue our useful series on Cool Holiday Shopping, encouraging you to think outside the Big Box and patronize Cleveland-based artists and entrepreneurs as you do your gift shopping. Check the reviews of our region’s superior holiday shows and make your reservations now for top-notch entertainment this week. Read Emissions from the Blogsphere and the letters in Yr Turn commenting on Feagler.

Click on our Podcasts and listen to our picks for hot happenings in this cool city. We’ve been doing our part for three years. Now the ball’s in your court. Take a swing at it. –Thomas Mulready

Holiday Appreciation Bash 12/15

Ya Haven’t Lived ’til You’ve seen Donner and Blitzen downing Thirsty Dog Beer at Cool Cleveland’s FFB party 12/15. It’ll sleigh you. And the spicy Cajun cuisine could actually melt the snow off your not-so-warm parts. Come to our Birthday/Holiday Appreciation Bash, where you could win an iPod or receive cool CC giveaways. Register now to get the best price. The party starts at 5:30 with open bar and hot hors d’oeuvres that include: jambalaya, chicken and andouille sausage gumbo, cornbread, sweet potato chips, mini crab cakes with Cajun mayo, delta dip with black tortilla chips, praline chicken tenders with Jack Daniel’s sauce, southern fried pickles, beignets and cheesecake bites. Dance to live music by the Bluestones starting at 6:30PM. Get tix here. Stay all night with no cover and $2 parking at the corner of Prospect & Ontario. Get details & map here. Invite your friends or make new ones, grab a drink and get ready to tell Santa exactly what you’d like for Christmas.
http://www.coolcleveland.com/tickets/121505.

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Live Sky High The Condominiums at Stonebridge are the sleek, high-rise buildings that you’ve seen rising above the Detroit-Superior bridge. Features include gourmet kitchens with granite counters, floor-to-ceiling windows, and outstanding river, lake and downtown views. Plus, you’re in the heart of the West Bank of the Flats, steps away from the buzz of W. 25th Street and the excitement of the Warehouse District. New units are now available – 1 bedrooms from $139,900 and 2 bedrooms from $179,900. The newest phase in this development is Stonebridge Plaza, another new condominium building that will offer a new perspective on Cleveland with incredible skyline views. Penthouses priced from the low $200’s. All units offer special financing and tax abatement. Visit our open house this Sun 12/18 from 12-4PM at 1500 Old Detroit. For a complete list of properties and open houses this weekend, please visit www.ProgressiveUrban.com.
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Ingenuity Festival announces 2006 dates Kicking off with a collaboration with the one and only Cleveland Orchestra on the pre-concert prelude to their popular annual concert on Public Square, the 2006 Ingenuity Festival of Art and Technology announces their dates: July 7-16. Other details revealed: the Festival Village moves to Prospect Avenue between Ontario and E. 9th Street, and a collaboration with the Rock Hall is planned, as are events on dozens of “Cleveland’s distinct streets, alleys, cubby holes and walkways.” See release here.

Cool Cleveland Kids Every week 10-year old Cool Cleveland correspondent Max Mulready reviews the newsletter for events to recommend. Since the holidays are all about kids, why not see what he’s got to say about it? Hear his short podcast here even if you don’t have special software. If you’re a whiz kid, you can download it to your iPod or your computer and listen with your own kid. Check below to see the events tagged CC KIDS under Cool Cleveland This Week for our recommendations for a fantastic family week. http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/CoolClevelandKids12.16.05.mp3. Adding this link to your program that catches podcast, will keep you up-to-date on the latest audio.

Business Pulse As part of the largest chamber of commerce organization in the USA, I applaud your stories of the Cleveland area’s assets. Please refer to the NOACC (Northern Ohio Area Chambers of Commerce) web site (http://www.noacc.org) (ticker box) to view results of the Business Pulse 2006 Survey—Living and Working in Northern Ohio. This survey was conducted with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in honor of NOACC’s 10th Anniversary. Residents of the area do not realize how Northern Ohio rates in cost of living and educational resources available right in our own neighborhood. As Mr. Devlin pointed out [see Cool Cleveland Commentary with Michael Devlin here], we do not realize how good we have it, and sometimes you do need to live in another city to truly appreciate what the Cleveland area has to offer. from Cool Cleveland reader Tracee Zubic, NOACC Operations Coordinator officeATnoacc.org. Help us take the Business Pulse of the area. Send us your diagnosis at Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

Popcorn & coffee on Shaker Square Former Shaker Heights resident, Dewey Forward, is teaming up with his partner, Diane Armstrong, to open Dewey’s Fair Trade Coffee, and The Popcorn Shop Factory on Shaker Square, adding to the variety of offerings in this unique collection of shops. The cozy coffeehouse will offer a fine line of freshly roasted coffees by local roaster, Phoenix Coffee. Supporters of fair trade, those who are in search of an excellent cup of joe, or WiFi refugees seeking a new haunt, are welcome to the sneak preview openings, beginning Thu 12/15. The Popcorn Shop Factory will open on Fri 12/16, offering their world-famous caramel corn, made fresh in the storefront window, and a variety of other treats. Visitors should not miss their Grand Opening Celebration, planned for Fri 1/6. Both stores will be open from 6AM-10PM daily.

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Messiah – a Must-See at Severance Hall! Tomorrow and Friday at 8PM, The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus and a cast of world-renowned vocal soloists present Handel’s beloved holiday oratorio, Messiah, including holiday favorite, the “Hallelujah!” Chorus. Bring the kids on Friday and Saturday morning for special Holiday Musical Rainbow programs – Christmas Brass Quintet and A Celebration of Kwanzaa, both for children up to age 10. The UBS Holiday Festival concludes at Severance Hall on Thurs 12/22 and Fri 12/23 with Holiday Organ and Brass. Tickets for these programs are selling quickly! Order today at (216) 231-1111 or online at www.ClevelandOrchestra.com.
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Long Long concert benefits students Local organizations continue to extend a helping hand toward the Cleveland Municipal School District, realizing the schools’ impact upon our local economy both now, and in the future. The Cleveland Advertising Association has taken up the challenge, by awarding scholarships to selected CMSD students, pursuing an advertising, communications, marketing or PR-related degree, as part of their Diversity/Young Creatives initiative. CAA is partnering with Long Long, recently appointed UNICEF’s newest and youngest international Goodwill Ambassador, to raise scholarship funds. You can help by purchasing tickets to hear the international phenom play Severance Hall on Mon 3/27 at 8PM. They are on sale here.

We double-dog dare you to help your favorite e-zine reach more people than humanly possible by forwarding Cool Cleveland to several of your cool friends that you think would enjoy it. Oh, and please take your tongue off that flagpole now. If you can.

NightOwls of Coventry now on DVD Cleveland Heights Filmmaker Laura Paglin is bringing Coventry home for the holidays with this new release, just in time for giving. Film lovers who just can’t get enough of the nostalgic comedy-drama, set in 1973 Coventry, amid clashing cultures and changing times, can pick up their very own copy at Mac’s Backs, located at 1820 Coventry Road, or at Heights Arts, located at 2163 Lee Road, #104, both in Cleveland Heights. http://www.MacsBacks.com/ http://www.HeightsArts.org http://www.NightOwlsOfCoventry.com.

Ohio City calendar Lake Erie Graphics is presenting the fifth in a series of calendars featuring Cleveland’s unique neighborhoods. Ohio City was selected because its renaissance is seen as a blueprint for urban development in other neighborhoods. The 2006 calendar cover can be viewed at http://www.ocnw.org and they are available for purchase for just $10, with proceeds benefiting the ongoing work of the Ohio City Near West Development Corporation. Call their offices at 781-3222 to get your copy.

Emissions from the blogsphere We’ll call this edition Feagler and Friends. Dick Feagler encourages his readers not to read blogs in this column. Much discussion ensues here. Brian Johnson thinks Dick misses the point that blogs are just a vendor in the marketplace of ideas. Jill Miller Zimon thinks it’s the meanest thing she’s read. Bill Callahan agrees. John Ryan is going to give Feagler a call. Chas Rich would like to know if Feagler was making fun of the name of his blog. Feagler even rankled mild-mannered Cool Cleveland blogger Peter Chakerian, who suggested the columnist try reading blogs instead of burning them and likened Feagler to another Dick—Cheney. (Chakerian wasn’t too happy with Rep. Earl Martin this week, either). Check the Cool Cleveland weblog here, then add your own comments, questions and attitude. Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

Even in your underwear? When Cool Cleveland readers are asked what their second favorite thing about Cool Cleveland is – after the edgy content – most say they appreciate the intimacy of receiving it in their Inbox. In fact, some admit they even read it in their underwear. This time of year, we assume it’s their long johns. Contact Info@CoolCleveland.com for info about advertising.

Cool Cleveland This Week
12.07-12.14

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

CC KIDS CityMusic Italian Holiday Concerts Looking for an inexpensive, yet memorable, way to celebrate the holiday season that will appeal to your entire clan? Hear your favorite arias from Italian operas, including works by Rossini, Puccini, Verdi & Mozart and take in the art of Clevelander, Lynda Britton, during performances on Wed 12/14 at 7:30PM at Fairmount Presbyterian Church in Cleveland Heights; Thu 12/15 at 7:30PM at Elyria First United Methodist Church in Elyria; Fri 12/16 at 8PM at United Methodist Church of Willoughby Hills; Sat 12/17 at 8:30PM at the Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus in Slavic Village or Sun 12/18 at 7:30PM at Rocky River Presbyterian Church. The cost? Priceless! Visit http://www.CityMusicCleveland.org for more info.

Paul Ferguson Jazz Orchestra will be stopping by The Cleveland Bop Stop on Wed 12/14 at 8PM to play a mix of standards and original music. Bring your own libations and order some of the tasty fare available at the venue while listening to Paul Ferguson lead his big band with an all-star line-up, featuring many fellow Cleveland Jazz Orchestra members, including Jack Schantz, Sean Jones, Jim Rupp, Russell Schmidt, Pete Mills and Kent Engelhardt. Call 771-6551 or visit http://www.ClevelandBopStop.com for cover charge info. The Cleveland Bop Stop, 2900 Detroit Avenue, Ohio City.

Open House at Tower Press Lofts & ArteFino Score big this weekend with original art by local artists. Saunter into several of the Tower Press Building lofts, on Fri 12/16 from 3-9PM, and check out incredible, original finds by local artists. Then, stop in the ArteFino Art Gallery Café, also open from 3-9PM, nibble on tasty treats and browse additional original art pieces and handmade jewelry, along with a host of other unique offerings. ArteFino is located inside the Tower Press Building at 1900 Superior Avenue. http://www.ArtefinoGallery.com.

Art=Aid Auction Acquire beautiful art pieces by up-and-coming artists, during this benefit auction, a holiday season triple play, giving you the opportunity to party, shop and help others in need. Relish savory hors d’oeuvres and refreshments while listening to exciting live music during the silent auction on Fri 12/16 from 7-9PM. Expand your own art collection and give the gift of art to both your art-loving and creatively-challenged friends. Have the satisfaction of knowing that your purchase will benefit earthquake relief efforts in Pakistan. Call 775-830-6796 for more info. Studio You, 2180 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights. http://www.imana.org. http://www.StudioYou.com.

Tree Chic Join the North Coast Men’s Chorus on Sat 12/17 at 8PM and Sun 12/18 at 3PM as they celebrate the season with their trademark “bit of irreverence” and “touches of outrageous humor.” Stirring renditions of holiday favorites, coupled with exiting choreography, will make for a memorable holiday celebration/30th Anniversary fundraiser for the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland. Make a donation of 20 bucks or more and take home a decorative ornament from the trés chic tree on display in the lobby. Visit http://www.ncmchorus.org or call 556-0590 for more info. Waetjen Auditorium, CSU Music and Communications Building, 2001 Euclid Avenue.

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Your Home is Your Castle Woodhaven, located in the Heart of Cleveland’s Cultural and Medical Hub, is close to countless Cleveland landmarks including Severance Hall, University Hospital, the Cleveland Clinic, Little Italy and Case Western Reserve University. Townhomes range from $206,650 – $220,650 at 1901 – 2088 square feet. These 2-3 bedroom, 2½-bath homes have master suites, 2 car garages, second floor laundry rooms, separate living and family rooms, eat-in kitchens and formal dining rooms. They are maintenance-free and feature private courtyards. Three Classic Coach Homes, starting at $234,000, are currently available with 1930+ square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2½ baths, a full basement and optional bonus room over the garage. Enjoy a 100% 15-year tax abatement and discounted interest rates 1.5% below market. Contact (216) 231-5353 or Zarembahomes.com.
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CC KIDS Return of the Light is a festive blend of the ancient Winter Solstice rituals that influenced Christmas, as we now know it, which expresses mankind’s search for hope and renewal during our darkest hours. A local jazz sextet will render jazzed-up treatments of medieval carols; dancer and choreographer, Melissa Lopez will perform, as will a female a capella group from Oberlin College called Nothing But Treble. All will undoubtedly wow the audience. Local storytellers will share winter solstice folklore from ethnic traditions during this Sat 12/17 event at 7:30PM. Call 736-2181 or visit www.PilgrimAlive.org. Pilgrim Congregational UCC, 2592 West 14th Street, Tremont.

Cool Cleveland Podcast Audio highlights of things to do around Cleveland, at the click of a button. http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/CoolCleveland12.16.05.mp3. Don’t forget, you can subscribe to this podcast by saving this link in your favorite program that catches podcasts.

One Silent Night World-renowned guitar virtuoso and Cleveland native Neil Zaza will treat audiences to an electrifying, high-voltage holiday show, accompanied in grand style by the Neil Zaza Band and a full symphony orchestra on Sat 12/17 at 8PM. Call 241-6000 or visit www.PlayhouseSquare.com for tickets. Playhouse Square, Allen Theatre. http://www.NeilZaza.com.

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Now That’s a Rockin’ Deal Visit the Rock Hall for half-price and get six months of Rolling Stone. Now through the end of this year, Cuyahoga County Residents can get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum for half-price – adult admission discounted to $10. And if you’re paying attention, you’ll also see that thru next December, all paying visitors to the Rock Hall get a six-month subscription to Rolling Stone magazine ($9.97 value) included with their admission – no strings attached. For more information contact the Rock Hall at 216-781-7625 or www.RockHall.com.
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Art Party in Little Italy Browse media spanning paintings, sculptures, jewelry and more by local artists like Brian Gherrish, Shelly Russell, Peggy D’Errico and several others during a day of art, food, wine, massage, friends and fun on Sun 12/18 from 2-8PM. Call 440-279-3287 or email AmyVozaquist@yahoo.com by tomorrow, 12/15. 2024 Murray Hill Road, Apartments 2&3.

Northcoast Jazz Collective one of Cleveland’s premier jazz bands, hits the stage to dish out their next semimonthly serving of straight-ahead, hard-swinging jazz on Sun 12/18 from 6-8:30PM. Visit http://www.NorthcoastJazzCollective.com for more info. Fat Fish Blue.

Evelyn Wright & Jazz Alive Treat yourself, and a friend, to the vocal stylings of one of Cleveland’s favorite local divas, as she performs with her quartet, Jazz Alive on Sun 12/18 at 9PM. Wright’s incredibly strong vocals and ability to adapt to just about any genre, coupled with her affable personality and sense of showwomanship, will leave you breathless. Buddy Sullivan on tenor sax, Dan Mier on piano, Dick Meese on bass and Archie Frame on drums, will round out a glowing evening of local jazz. Call 771-6551 or visit http://www.ClevelandBopStop.com for cover charge info. The Cleveland Bop Stop, 2900 Detroit Avenue, Ohio City.

iConnect Internship and Career Expo Don’t just connect, iConnect! Network and mingle with Cleveland’s brightest prospects at the Career Expo. Don’t call this your typical job fair; the general public isn’t invited and the attending candidates have already been pre-screened and read like a Who’s Who Among Students. Network with the cream of the talent crop and conduct onsite interviews along with a select group of area employers on Tue 12/20 between 11AM and 4PM. RSVP here or call 241-5587. Quicken Loans Arena, formerly Gund Arena.

CC KIDS Holiday Gingerbread Tea Accompany your favorite little girly girl, age 6-12, to a holiday Gingerbread tea party on Wed 12/21 at noon. Bring your own teacups, and dress up in Victorian-era hats and gloves, to maximize the fun. You can even make your own hats, as a special project with your little princess, before the special event. You’ll get a special kit to decorate your new “vintage” photo, taken at the event, and enjoy tea, hot chocolate, a variety of tasty, kid-friendly, finger foods and a special tour of the home. Call 440-255-8722 for info. James A. Garfield National Historical Site, 8095 Mentor Avenue.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Cool Holiday Shopping
Nix the national chain stores. Spend your 2005 holiday dollars on local businesses, especially area artists and entrepreneurs. Keep your dollars in the region where they build jobs, create growth and generate taxes. The short list below should get you started, then check our full list at Cool Holiday Shopping

Shopping local Are you stoked about the campaign to do your holiday shopping with locally-based vendors, but not quite sure where to start? Boy, have we got the resource for you. In addition to the interminably cool offerings we’ve been pointing you to over the past few weeks, check out www.RestoreCleveland.com. After revisiting the reasons it is so important to spend your bucks with hometowners, you’ll find resources, by neighborhood, of enticing goodies for sale, locally.

Holiday Benefit/Art Show AWS is having a party with a philanthropic twist to help fill a Holiday Wish List on Fri 12/16 from 4-7PM. Browse art for sale, with a portion of the proceeds going to help people with disabilities improve their lives. Wanna help even more? Bring a gift card or gift certificate to help someone in need. Call 589-0119, X301 for info. AWS, 2529 Detroit Avenue.

Zygote Press Inc. Small, affordable prints and works on paper in both traditional and experimental techniques will be available for purchase during the opening reception for the Off the Wall Holiday Sale on Fri 12/16 from 6-9PM. Enjoy fine food and spirits in a warm holiday atmosphere. If you can’t make it on Friday, hit the sale on Sat 12/17 from 12-4PM. Zygote Press, 7209 St. Clair Avenue, 2nd Floor.

Murray Hill Holiday Art Party in Little Italy Browse original works of art, from paintings and ceramics to jewelry and handmade accessories, crafted by local artists, in a relaxing environment of art, food, wine, friends, fun and massage on Sun 12/18 from 2-8PM. 2024 Murray Hill Road, Apartments 2 & 3. Call 440-279-3287 for info.

J. Lucas Clothiers offers a wide array of fine menswear and accessories for the Holiday season. Choose from handmade imported neckwear, unique cufflinks, gloves, scarves and much more. You can give the ultimate gift of custom made clothing with a J. Lucas Clothiers gift certificate for shirts, suits, slacks or sport jackets. Visit their store at The Galleria at Erieview. Call 344-3600, or visit them online at http://www.JLucasClothiers.com.

Arborwear.com Here is a completely cool gift idea for all of the outdoorsy types on your list, from alpaca farmers and horse whisperers to rock climbers and safari enthusiasts…pants. Yeah, it seems like a snoozer for the exciting types, but these pants, and other outdoor gear, are made just as rough and tumble as the people you love. They will kiss you for it, we promise. (After a nice hot shower, preferably.) Check out adventurous folks sporting these “superpants” while doing some pretty amazing stuff, all over the world at http://www.ArborWear.com.

Cleveland Film Society Give the gift of film to the filmlovers in your life. CFS memberships at five different levels, all-access passes, merchandise, invites to special events and more are available. Not sure what to get for them? Then opt for the gift certificate, or a tax-deductible donation in their name. Call 623-3456, x10 for more info. http://www.ClevelandFilm.org.

Lazy Bee™ Get homemade, all natural soaps, lip balm and honey, all made from nature’s finest ingredients at http://www.LazyBeeStudio.com. Looking for the perfect gift for that special pooch in your life? Then try their natural Planet Paws™ pet products.

84 Charing Cross Bookstore is having their year-end sale of used and out-of-print books, prints and maps through the end of the year. The store is open Thursday through Saturday. Call 961-0084 for hours, or visit http://www.84cc.com, where you can also shop online. 84 Charing Cross Bookstore, 6411 Detroit Avenue.

Joseph-Beth Giving Tree Help make the holidays a bit brighter for children who will be spending them in Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House, and their parents. Just purchase gift titles to be delivered to both facilities. Items purchased for donation are discounted 20%. Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 24519 Cedar Road in Legacy Village. http://www.JosephBeth.com.

Tell us about a gallery or artists space that’s selling cool local art and gifts this season by e-mailing us at Events@CoolCleveland.com and we’ll list as many as possible in the next few weeks. Check out the full list at Cool Holiday Shopping.

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Be it Ever so Humble, There’s no Place like MillCreek Adjacent to the Metroparks, with only two left, MillCreek is an award-winning community of single-family homes. The first starts at $164,500 with 1550 square feet, an open floor plan, 2 large bedrooms, 1½ baths, and a formal living and dining room. The other home starts at $177,400 with 1730 square feet, open floor plan, 2 large bedrooms, 1½ baths, eat-in kitchen, porch, stainless steel kitchen appliances, washer, dryer, finished bonus rooms, 15 year tax abatement and 1.5% below market interest rate. MillCreek is on 58 exquisitely landscaped acres, located 20 minutes from Downtown, Beachwood Place, Great Northern and has a clubhouse and pool with parks in the community. Models by appointment only. Contact Don Picciano (216) 513-7030 or www.ZarembaHomes.com.
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Cool Cleveland Dispatch
Dialing in the Holiday Hotline

Trust is an important word in the creative world. In theater, the playwright has to trust the producer, who has to trust the director, who has to trust the actors, and they all have to trust the audience, which has to trust everyone! But then you have the case where a producer says “okay, let’s do it!” and the ‘it’ is hardly past the starting stage, and the expectation of performance is less than six months away. Now, that’s really trust. Make that… TRUST. On Thu 12/1 at the Orthodox Theatre, next door to Cleveland Public Theatre, Cleveland experienced the world premiere of a musical comedy revue: Holiday Hotline. It continues through 12/23. So, just how does this happen, anyway? It’s not often that the world premiere of anything musical happens here. Well, first of all, the two collaborators studied their craft. A lot. They’ve worked together for several years, so they each have some knowledge of what makes the other one tick. They also involved other like-minded individuals. This was a major help considering the short time between concept and happening, but they’d have done it that way, regardless. After all, the larger the team, the more resources you have available…
Read more from Kelly Ferjutz here

An Open Letter
To The Citizens/Heroes Of Cleveland From George Armstrong Custer

Damn it all to infinite hell. I admit it. I should have known. What was I thinking? Attacking a gazillion well-armed, angry Sioux with a few dozen Irish guys with questionable dental records was not my best maneuver. Oh well. You can’t fault someone for irrational over-confidence, can you? What-evaahh…as you say.

By the way, I will be initiating offensive actions versus anyone who attempts to steal “my look”. A recent example is that guy from “Nickleback”. There are others including Michael Stanley, Madonna and a combination of Daryl Hall and John Oates. Rest assured. My “Last Stand” will be in the court of fashion law and this time I’ll be armed with a formidable weapon…thieving lawyers…
Read the letter from General Custer here

RoldoLINK
Are Charities Solutions Or Evasions?
By Roldo Bartimole

The other day a TV commercial, or someone making a public service pitch, was asking the public for donations to pay for telephone cards for soldiers in Iraq.

Wait a minute.

We’re spending $225 billion for whatever we’re doing over in Iraq. It’s costing Ohio $8.4 billion, Cleveland $226 million and each American household $2,027 (www.CostOfWar.com). This site has a running account of war costs in Iraq.

The U. S. military budget for next year will be $558 billion (www.WarResisters.org). That’s right – $558 billion.

Please, tell me why are we passing the hat for anything needed by those fighting the war, including telephone cards to call home – holiday or not.
Read RoldoLINK here

Cool Cleveland Sounds
Watch This
Colin Dussault and his Blues Project Band
Erica Records 1205

Colin Dussault and the current line up of his Blues Project Band have been together for a while now, and they keep reaching new milestones both with their live shows and recordings. Their latest CD Watch This has hit the stores and Internet and is another solid effort, a mix of standards and a few originals featuring a who’s who of the Cleveland blues scene.

There are many highlights on the disc, starting with the first track, the band’s tribute to a legend “Blues for Robert Lockwood Jr.”, which features the man himself with a couple of pretty impressive guitar solos. Not bad for a 90 year old kid.

Most of the rest of the disc is filled with some of the many standards from the different genres of music that Dussault and his band feature in their live shows. Probably the biggest surprise is their cover of the Etta James’ “At Last” which features Dussault’s soulful voice, Greg Hurd’s beautiful piano, and Jim Feeney’s weeping guitar. Another surprise is their rendition of the blue grass standard “Rocky Top,” which has Dussault going overtime on his harmonica. The boys visit 1930’s jazz with Duke Ellington’s “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”; party blues, of course, with “Let the Good Times Roll/Hey Bartender” (which has another awesome Jim Feeney guitar solo) and “Sitting at the Bar”; do a wonderful version (complete with bagpipes) of the Scottish folk song “Loch Lomond”; feature Hurd’s terrific piano again on Randy Newman’s “Guilty”; and pay tribute to the late great Ray Charles in more than respectable cover of “Georgia on My Mind…”
Read the review here

Wanna get reviewed? Send your band’s CD (less than 1 year old) to: Cool Cleveland, 14837 Detroit Avenue, #105, Lakewood, OH 44107

Hey Writers! Wanna write about Cleveland music? We’ve got a slew of recently-released CDs and DVDs by Cleveland-area musicians that could use your critical commentary for Cool Cleveland Sounds. If you’re interested, send us a note at Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

WCLVnotes If you listen to the so-called “All-Christmas” stations, you soon find that there are many really crappy Christmas songs. However, you’ll hear the genuine articles on WCLV 104.9 FM including the daily Cleveland Orchestra Christmas program at 11:25AM, featuring performances from The Cleveland Orchestra and Cleveland Orchestra Chorus Holiday Festival concerts of recent years. This Fri 12/16 at 8PM, WCLV will present “A Cleveland Christmas,” with music for the holidays by a number of area performing arts groups and individuals ranging from Apollo’s Fire to the North Coast Men’s Chorus. On Sun 12/18 the Christmas version of the Mighty Wurlitzer Radio Hour will be broadcast live at 3PM. And on Tues 12/20 at 9PM, the Baldwin-Wallace Christmas Concert will be aired. Full details on all of WCLV’s colorful holiday programming can be found on the WCLV website at www.WCLV.com . WCLV is a Cool Cleveland partner.

Instant Karma
Quick reviews of recent events
Going out this weekend? Take along your PDA and your digital camera. Scratch out a few notes to send us with a picture of it for our Instant Karma real-world reviews of what’s really happening. We’d love to hear from you. Send your stuff to Events@CoolCleveland.com.

Once Upon a Toy @ the Cleveland Botanical Gardens If you like toys, or the kid in you is just dying to come out, take a trip to the Botanical Garden and check out the WinterShow, now through December 31. From Snoopy (my personal hero) to Cat in the Hat, and the Rugrats to James and the Giant Peach, there is a storyline and favorite character for all. My favorite storyline was the Russian folktale of the Firebird in the King’s Orchard: a beautiful display of nature with a forest setting surrounded by poinsettias and the smell of pine. It will transform you. And, of course, don’t miss the creative mastery that was put into the design of the unique gingerbread houses. Themes include the Three Little Pigs, Jack and the Bean Stock and more. Simply good enough to eat! (But unfortunately, there is no sampling allowed.) From Cool Cleveland correspondent T.L. Champion

Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra @ Zion United Church of Christ of Tremont 12/4 When I was a child, I learned that I truly loved the sound of a live orchestra and classical music was meant for the affluent; ordinary kids got the nosebleed seats. The Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra seeks to perform concerts, which make musical enrichment accessible to all in the Greater Cleveland area. Zion UCC of Tremont presented the third annual Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra Christmas Concert under the direction of William B. Slocum. After that performance, some of the ordinary people whose perception of classical music has been casual, sporadic or even unimpressed may find themselves enthusiastic supporters of the arts…
Read the review by Joanne M. Popp here

Nutcracker @ the Allen Theatre 12/8 We went to see Cincinnati Ballet’s Nutcracker at the Allen Theatre Thursday night. Although this was just the latest in a long string of Nutcrackers we’ve seen, it was our first look at Cincinnati Ballet, and our first look at the work of choreographer Val Caniparoli. This Nutcracker, we understood, was unusual in that it was built around Herr Drosselmeier, much as the choreographer’s career as a character dancer had been. We found much to admire in the production and the company. Our objections centered on Caniparoli’s focus on Drosselmeier finally becoming too much…
Read the review by Victor and Elsa here

Santaland Diaries @ Cleveland Public Theatre 12/9 “I’m a 45 year-old man and this is my work outfit.” This is a green velvet sleeveless smock trimmed in metallic braid, including all around the pointed and tasselled bottom edge, mid-thigh length, which also has jingle bells attached. Under this (on the top) is a school-bus yellow long-sleeved turtleneck jersey, and on the lower portion of his torso is tights. Wide red-and-white-striped tights, yet. Like a giant candy cane. Or the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Except that the lighthouse is black and white. On his feet are red velvet mules with white fur trim and more jingle bells. A red velvet Santa hat trimmed with white fur completes the outfit. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen the real thing. Trust me on this…
Read the review by Kelly Ferjutz here

Beauty & The Beast @ Beck Center 12/9 Featuring lavish costumes, stunning special effects, spot-on acting and a brilliant live orchestra, all brought together with tight-as-a-drum stage action and never-a-dull-moment pacing by crack director Fred Sternfeld, this classic tale competes directly and successfully with the popular animated version, then goes it one better. The 2.5 hour play is so good natured, so entertaining, so uplifting, it flies by, even for (especially for) kids, and actually leaves you wanting more. The fun continues through 12/31. http://www.BeckCenter.org

A New Amahl @ Masonic Auditorium 12/10 Attending a concert by Red {an orchestra} is always fun—one never knows quite what to expect. Artistic Director and Conductor Jonathan Sheffer likes to shake things up a bit, giving us a different perspective on old favorites. The smaller configuration of the orchestra (17 string players only) worked well with the Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite III of Ottorino Respighi. The set of four pieces sounded like an extraordinarily sturdy string quartet, so lush was the sonority. The addition of several wind and keyboard instruments plus percussion made the same composer’s Adoration of the Magi almost as much a visual pleasure as an aural one. Katherine Shanklin excelled as the graceful bassoon soloist. A screen suspended over the orchestra displayed projections of various paintings from history, nicely complementing the music. The main event, however, was a new look at a fifty-five year old classic Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian Carol Menotti. Originally written to be produced on television, Mr. Sheffer (who doubled as stage director), moved the setting to the here and now—a shelter for the homeless.
Read the review by Kelly Ferjutz here

Contemporary Youth Orchestra @ Waetjen Auditorium 12/10 High energy doesn’t even begin to get it! You have to attend one of these concerts in order to really understand what’s happening here. 115 or so teen-agers on one stage, drawn together by their love of music, and their capability at expressing that love, make a truly joyful noise! There were also 18 young singers in the balcony for the first work, and offstage for the final piece. High energy is the trademark of this exhuberant group, and the opening concert of their 11th season was no exception. Under the baton of their founding music director and conductor Liza Grossman, Saturday evening’s concert took us—musically—around the world as well as the universe…
Read the review by Kelly Ferjutz here

Concert for John @ Agora 12/10 There was very little heat in the theatre, but lots of love for John Lennon two days after the 25th anniversary of his assasination, when Clevelander Gary Jacob brought together some of the most inspired and inspiring Lennon tribute artists for a 9-hour concert, performed in order from the Cavern Club years, thru Beatlemania to his solo period. Especially impressive were All You Need Is Love from Canada, a 6-piece band who don’t try to look like the Beatles, but who specialize in sounding exactly like the real thing. And they do. Jacob has already moved his Abbey Road On The River from Cleveland to Louisville– it’s the city’s big attraction on Memorial Day weekend– let’s hope Cleveland continues to support his other projects here at home. The license plates in the Agora parking lot from neighboring states prove how strong a draw a well-organized event can be. Check out the welcome letters from the Mayor of Louisville and bank president there on their site. This is how a city cooperates with culture to drive economic development. http://www.AbbeyRoadOnTheRiver.com

Yr Turn
Cool Cleveland readers write
We encourage our readers to speak out by sending us letters and commentary. Send your letters to Letters@CoolCleveland.com. You must include your full name (required) and you may include your e-mail address (optional). You may also create a new Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail e-mail address and submit it with your letter. Letters submitted to Cool Cleveland, or edited portions, may be published in an upcoming issue of Cool Cleveland at our discretion.

Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

On Michael Devlin’s commentary (See It’s Great To Be Home here) Michael Devlin’s statement on why it’s “Great to be Home” is so on target, eloquent and constructive it gets my vote as Cool Cleveland’s “Commentary of the Year.”
from Cool Cleveland reader Thomas Bier tomATurban.csuohio.edu

On Cleveland I agree with all of your recent contributors about Clevelands potential for greatness. However, it all boils down to jobs!…and not just big box jobs, or on the flipside; jobs that need a Masters degree for. I mean creative, interesting, dynamic positions that allow people to grow and challange themselves. Where are those jobs? I fall in the middle of these catagories and in other cities have a wealth of positons open to me and in Cleveland it seems I am unable to move ahead out of the few big box opportunites that exist here….I feel that Cleveland has got to attract diversity, open minds, and risk takers! Thanks for your efforts and I wish you all the best for a healthy and safe holiday!!
from Cool Cleveland reader Jenn Erwood freshsqueezed216AThotmail.com

On ODOT & a signature bridge for Cleveland (See ODOT still doesn’t get it here) Let me get this straight… The state of Ohio didn’t listen to public opinion in regard to the Interbelt bridge project?? You couldn’t be more wrong. This was a 7-8 year project and the community was VERY much involved with it’s planning. Do you folks have any idea what you are talking about? Did you actually check into the facts before publishing the piece on your site? This is just another example of a half rate community/political information site on the web that really can’t be taken seriously. Check the facts, I did. I am a Tremont resident and I’m pretty involved with the goings on in the community. Believe me I was waiting for the State and city to step on toes with this project. I’ll say this they impressed the hell out of me on how knowledgeable and fair they actually were. After reading this I wonder how many other half accurate blogs and pieces show up on “Cool Cleveland”. Please folks if you want to be taken seriously get your facts straight.
from Cool Cleveland reader Walter Dutton wmd66AThotmail.com

Mr. Coyle, Please reconsider your decision regarding our Innerbelt Bridge. At least let the people who live here and are going to be most effected by this important decision have some input. Please explain why Planning Director Alsenas’ plan has been taken out of consideration. Don’t you think the people of this region know what is best for themselves? It would be great to see ODOT actually make the right & popular people’s choice regarding our bridge. I would really be impressed if ODOT did some forward thinking & included some greenspace as well. If the state of Massachusetts can do the ‘Big Dig’ why can’t ODOT at least do the Innerbelt Bridge?- the right way.
from Cool Cleveland reader Paul Gaynor prgaynorATgmail.com

Mulready on Feagler (See Mulready vs. Feagler WINDOWS or MAC) Just wanted to tell you that you said great things about the city on the Feagler show. He was giving you a little of that Cleveland doubting attitude, but you did a great job keeping it positive. I appreciate your efforts. Glad to hear that Ingenuity is on for next year. I thought that was a great event and Kassaba enjoyed being a part of it.
from Cool Cleveland reader Greg Slawson lee.slawsonATsbcglobal.net

Great piece. Although I don’t watch TV, it is great to see that the people that do, may have seen Mulready vs Feagler. We are big fans of CoolCleveland and all the Mulready is doing to promote Cleveland. Moving here 14 years ago, we find we enjoy and explore Cleveland far more than the “locals” that have been here their whole lives. We attended the Ingenuity Fest on three of the days, bring with us more people each time. We had a great time, only disappointed that more people didn’t come out. Good luck getting more mainstream publicity like this with Feagler.
from Cool Cleveland reader Carol Bell cbell3389ATyahoo.com

On Cool Cleveland As I’ve said time and time again, GREAT WORK on this edition. From the opening of the Convivium33 Gallery to your list of local places to shop, this week’s Cool Cleveland has continued to provide me (a somewhat knowledgeable Clevelander!) with resources that I wouldn’t have had the time or ability to find on my own! Seriously, thanks!
from Cool Cleveland reader Christopher Bongorno mrgooddayATgmail.com

Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

Top 5
Here are the Top 5 from last week’s issue, with one more chance for you to click.

1) Cool Cleveland Commentary It’s Great To Be Home by Michael Devlin.
www.CoolCleveland.com

2) NASA & Clinic need you to help provide answers in the area of osteoporosis and extended space travel.
http://www.researchscope.com/spacestudy

3) Mulready vs. Feagler Dick asks Thomas if his hat makes him cool.
Click here for the video

4) RoldoLINK Council and Jackson, not size and czars.
www.CoolCleveland.com

5) Jackson ready to appoint regionalism czar a possibly cabinet position to coordinate regionalism efforts.
www.Cleveland.com

Taking a stand alongside satirist Clyde Miles this week is the rest of the Hard Corps. Thanks to those regular contributors—Peter Chakerian, Roxanne Ravenel, TL Champion, George Nemeth, Roldo Bartimole, Victor Lucas, Elsa Johnson, and Kelly Ferjutz—who along with Clyde and the rest of our partners make Cool Cleveland a must-read every week. Want to volunteer and contribute your writing to Cool Cleveland? Send your reviews, articles, or story ideas to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Download the Cool Cleveland podcast each week at http://www.CoolCleveland.com. Click on the Cool Cleveland Blog here. Read the Cool Cleveland column each month in Cleveland Magazine here. Listen to Cool Cleveland on WCLV-FM 104.9 twice each Friday during drive time. Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com, and your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com. For your copy of the free weekly Cool Cleveland e-zine, go to http://www.CoolCleveland.com.

Celebrate the holidays with us,

–Thomas Mulready
Letters@CoolCleveland.com

all contents ©2005 MulreadyGROUP all rights reserved
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